Local

Duval Superintendent releases list of proposed new names for Confederate-named schools

Jacksonville, Fla. — On Tuesday Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) Superintendent Dianna Greene released a list of new name recommendations for six schools currently named for prominent Confederate leaders.

Current Name
  • Joseph Finegan Elementary School
  • Stonewall Jackson Elementary School
  • J.E.B. Stuart Middle School
  • Kirby-Smith Middle School
  • Jefferson Davis Middle School
  • Robert E. Lee High School
Recommended Name
  • Anchor Academy
  • Hidden Oaks Elementary
  • Westside Middle School
  • Springfield Middle School
  • Charger Academy
  • Riverside High School

The school district said Dr. Greene will not recommend name changes for three other schools - Jean Ribault middle and high schools and Andrew Jackson High School.

The superintendents recommendations will now go to the Duval County School Board on Tuesday, June 1, at their regularly scheduled 6 p.m. meeting.

Action News Jax told you last month that stakeholders for six of the nine schools voted to change the schools’ names. Nearly 10,000 votes were cast. Stakeholders for Lee High School cast the most votes out of any school.

Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene said in a statement, “Our goal was to give our community a voice in this process. Constituents have participated in dozens of meetings, and now thousands have shared their voice through this balloting process. My job is to synthesize all of this input and bring the recommendation that I feel is best for our schools, our community, and most important, our students.”

In a statement released Tuesday, Dr. Greene said, “I want to thank all of the people who participated in this process, and I want to thank the school leaders and district employees who have managed this over the last several months. We’ve had dozens of meetings, hours of public testimony and thousands of votes. All of this input has helped shape my recommendations, which I will discuss publicly with the Board next week.”

The school district told Action News Jax it would cost a little over a million dollars to rename all the schools.

SEE THE FULL RESULTS IN THE DOCMENT BELOW






Samantha Mathers

Samantha Mathers, Action News Jax

Samantha Mathers is a digital reporter and content creator for Action News Jax.